Rev. Edward Brienz is finalist for national Catholic award

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Rev. Edward Brienz is a finalist for the 2016 Lumen Christi Award, the highest national honor given by Catholic Extension, an organization that builds churches and the Church in America’s home missions.

Father Brienz founded Cafe Augustine in Newport Public Library. It opened in 2015.

He was inspired by a caf in New Orleans that helped to rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina.

The caf is a four-month work-readiness program that teaches personal responsibility, financial management, teamwork and Catholic Church teachings to young people. In its first few months, the caf touched the lives of 80 students, 45 volunteers and nearly 10,000 patrons.

Father Brienz is director of missions/propagation of the faith for the Diocese of Youngstown and is administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in McDonald.

“Our Lumen Christi finalists truly understand the profound connection between the corporal works of mercy and the caring of the soul,” said the Rev. Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension. “They are an example to all of us.”

For more information about Catholic Extension’s Lumen Christi Award and information on all finalists, visit www.catholicextension.org.